“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in determination.”
Founded: 1973
Founder: Clara Litovsky, Special Needs Pioneer
Grades: K-12
Student Profile: Students in grades K-12 with emotional, behavioral and learning challenges from northern and central New Jersey
Student Demographics: 66% Black and Hispanic, 34% White
Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Location: Bloomfield, NJ in Essex County
Area Served: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union Counties
Scope: Full academic programs which include a Summer program (ESY) offered during July as well as music, art, computers, and fitness
Approach: Combining individual and group instruction with school-wide therapeutic support including a social skills training program; using uniquely designed Student Passport to track comprehensive academic/social/vocational skills
Support: Tutoring, counseling, crisis intervention, student health services
Vocational Training: Community-based Instruction (CBI) from a young age
Professional Staff: Administrators, Social Workers, Teachers, Crisis Intervention Team, Full-time Registered Nurse
Languages: English and Spanish (bilingual program)
Staff Development: 4–6 hours of new training every month